Congressional Map Goes To Public

State lawmakers will hold a public hearing on a draft congressional map Wednesday near the state Capitol.

The Republican-controlled state legislature unveiled the map Monday.

The proposed map includes several big changes. It would divide the northernmost part of the state into two side-by-side congressional districts. The district covering most of northeast Georgia is a new, open seat for Congress.

The draft map would also move the district of U.S. Rep. John Barrow out of Savannah. That would draw Barrow, the last remaining white Democrat in the House from the Deep South, out of his own district.

The public meeting will take place in downtown Atlanta in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, room 606. That's across from the state Capitol on Mitchell Street.

The hearing begins at 2 p.m., and will include an overview of redistricting from the Secretary of State’s office.